ALMOHAD FORTRESS

Today known as the castle of Montemolín, this fortress was first the work of the Almohades in the th century before passing to the hands of the order of Santiago. From its Arab era, it maintains a forum, consisting of a double wall, with square crenellated towers, characteristics of this type of architecture, as well as entrances to elbow or inflection, making access to the fortress more difficult. Other characteristics, underground tunnels allowing water and food supply and also flight, in the event of encirclement. Note, its very broad and rectangular seat that took into account the irregularity of the terrain by including the rocky projections in the general construction. After the recapture, the Order of Santiago brought changes such as the creation of a small church and a dungeon. It will then go hand in hand, to the Royal Crown, to the Seville Council, to the Genoese merchants, who have all left their marks. This fortress then deteriorated in the th and early st century, but the Alba Plata project helped to recover and strengthen the defensive towers, to consolidate the wall, to carry out archaeological excavations, to restore the central underground tank (Aljibe) or the well of the colours (pozo de los colores) and to improve its access and signalling, to the great satisfaction of the inhabitants who, for that reason, had the greatest satisfaction. would like to see continued work on the recovery of his memory.

The visit. Take two good hours to get there and turn it around. Reward for this grimpette: very nice on the village and surrounding area at every stop. Inside, a sign and explanatory signs of the main points encountered.